Overload of iron in the skin of patients with varicose ulcers. Possible contributing role of iron accumulation in progression of the disease |
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Authors: | Z Ackerman M Seidenbaum E Loewenthal A Rubinow |
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Institution: | Department of Internal Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem. |
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Abstract: | The brown pigmentation of the skin associated with venous ulceration is caused by increased local iron deposition. Diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, a method based on x-ray fluorescence analysis, was used for the noninvasive determination of iron levels in the skin of patients with venous ulceration. The mean (+/- SEM) iron concentration in the skin around the venous ulcer was elevated, compared with control values of nonulcerated skin (250 +/- 54 vs 128 +/- 39 micrograms) and compared with normal skin from the forearm (250 +/- 54 vs 14 +/- 2.5 micrograms). These data suggest that dermal iron deposition may not be an incidental by-product of increased venous pressure, but may actively perpetuate tissue damage in venous ulcerations. |
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